The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to enter into a contractual agreement with a successful bidder and select a suitable contractor to provide laboratory expertise to support the Testing, Prevention and Populations (TPP) unit to produce key deliverables on testing services. Tasks focus on HIV testing algorithm transition in francophone countries, particularly West and Central Africa (WCA) and contribute to the development of implementation guidance of Quality Management System (QMS) for HIV testing in non-laboratory settings and guiding inputs into the Global Fund NextGen Marketing strategic initiative.

Work to be performed

Objective 1:

Provide laboratory expertise to the WHO HIV testing team and informing the development of guidance and implementation tools related to testing quality in non-lab settings (i.e. QMS tool kit and an algorithm transition planning tool kit to complement the existing algorithm verification tool kit)

Deliverable 1.1 : Review and revise draft of the QMS guidance for non-lab settings

Timeline: December 2024

Deliverable 1.2: Review and revise draft of the HIV algorithm transition tool kit ready for clearance process.

Timeline: October 2024

Deliverable 1.3 : Provide slide decks and FAQs to disseminate the QMS tool kit and HIV algorithm transition tool kit in key meetings with stakeholders and countries.

Timeline: January 2025

Objective 2:

Provide laboratory expertise and input into the Global Fund under the NextGen Market Strategic Initiative

Deliverable 2.1: Review and provide input (track change) for the selection of the implementing partner(s) of this initiative.

Deliverable 2.2: Technical briefing of the implementing partner (selected by Global Fund) and (bimonthly) follow up meetings (meeting minutes, slide deck)

Deliverable 2.3: Produce analysis to guide country selection and project planning.

Deliverable 2.4: Produce analysis to guide country selection and project planning.

Deliverable .2.5: Review and revise country plans and materials developed by implementing partners, ministries of health and Global Fund

Deliverable 2.6: Draft meeting minutes and slide decks for coordination calls

Timeline: August 2024, October 2024, December 2024, February 2025, April 2025, July 2025

Objective 3:

Provide laboratory expertise to at least 6 countries (Ministries of Health) not included in the SI to support algorithm transition processes (3 test strategy, moving away from WB/IB, inclusion of dual test HIV/syphilis as 1st test in ANC settings and for Key Populations and implementing quality management systems).

Deliverable 3.1: Completed analysis of verification study data for at least 3 countries documented in two reports that include data, slides and tracking sheet monitoring task completion.

Timeline: monthly updates

Deliverable 3.2: Review and revise country materials related to the implementation and scale up of new testing strategies and algorithms in at least 3 countries, (including national SOPs, national training modules, HTS registers, quality management systems SOPs, supportive supervision checklists, etc).

Timeline: monthly update

Deliverables 3.3: Support development of and updating of dissemination materials on the key findings on the implementation of verification studies for dissemination with key stakeholders (AFRO, ASLM, Africa CDC, PEPFAR, Global Fund, Unitaid, BMGF).

Timeline: September 2024, November 2024, March 2025, June 2025

Objective 4:

Provide laboratory expertise to WHO and related partners, such as CQUIN, GF, PEPFAR and ASLM

Deliverable 4.1: Meeting minutes and slides deck for monthly local production task force and market shaping working group

Deliverable 4.2: Review and revise SOPs, self-assessment tools, slides, meeting materials and webinar to build internal and external capacity on testing quality (to be done in collaboration with AFRO and WHO PQ team)

Timeline: July 2024, October 2024, January 2025, March 2025, June 2025

Objective 5:

Provide laboratory expertise on forthcoming innovations related to the development of new guidance and implementation of rapid tests and self-testing in countries

Deliverables 5.1: Reviewed and revised protocols (provide track changes document) for assessing evidence on multiplex assays, self-testing for PrEP/PEP in all its forms, and additional new technologies

Timeline: August 2024, January 2025

Deliverables 5.2: Reviewed and revised study reports (provide track changes document) from partners that will inform WHO guidance on multiplex assays, self-testing for PrEP/PEP in all its forms, and additional new technologies

Timeline: January 2025, March 2025, June 2025

Previous experience

Mandatory:

• Proven experience in the field of HIV testing and laboratory-based testing in low and middle-income countries; with a focus in west and central Africa for at least 7 years.
• Previous work with WHO, other international organizations and/or major institutions in the field of HIV testing services, verification studies and quality management systems
• Expertise and experience providing technical support to LMICs

Desirable:

• Experience in differentiated service delivery of HIV testing services for at least 3 years, experience working on implementation of syphilis testing and dual HIV/syphilis testing for at least 2 years, and ability to work in a team environment

Staffing

The selected contractor is expected to dedicate the following human resources to the project:

• A project manager shall be dedicated to the project. She/He need to hold a Master’s degree in public health or laboratory science. Please attach resume to your proposal.
• The designated project manager that should be the same all along implementation, including consideration in contingency plans in case the focal point is absent.
• Sufficient capacity and knowledge is required to cover the following areas of expertise:
  • Adequate technical knowledge to support countries to implement verification studies, quality management systems and updating national testing algorithms
• Adequate technical knowledge to work with international stakeholders as Global Fund, PEPFAR and UNITAID engaged in HIV testing strategies and algorithms
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Excellent technical writing skills, and skills in conducting literature reviews and data analysis and synthesis.
• Good communication, presentation and coordination skills also needed.
• Expert skills to write, speak, read and analyse/present data in English and French
• WHO pays utmost attention to the level of qualification and experience of the individuals involved, and to continuity in the services. The profiles (no individual names required) of the personnel proposed for these services should be included in the technical proposal.
• All staff with full professional working proficiency/native or bilingual proficiency in English and French.